Care & Warranty

Gus* Modern Care
Ethnicraft Care
SG Originals Care
Mark Krebs Care
Warranty Information

 

In the following sections you'll find care and maintenance instructions covering items from many of the brands we carry. This is not an exhaustive list – our product line evolves at a pace that prevents this document from being authoritative. If you have any questions regarding care and maintenance of items purchased from Stylegarage, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Many items arrive with a care instruction card or document included, or feature a care document on the product page. Always refer to these instructions first, as they may address specific points of attention that are most relevant.

Gus* Modern Care

Upholstery

All Gus* sofas feature kiln-dried hardwood or stainless steel frames and employ no-sag spring construction to produce a dependable, long lasting support. Cushions are made with either PET fill, a high-density upholstery foam, or a combination of both to ensure each one holds its shape while providing outstanding comfort and support.

Upon unpacking your new Gus* sofa, we recommend you take the time to ‘model’ it with your hands in order to ensure it returns to its initial appearance which will altered slightly during transportation. A light smoothing out of the upholstery and cushions will restore the sofa to its intended aesthetic quality.

Fabric

For regular maintenance and to maintain the nap of the fabric, we recommend vacuuming your sofa regularly. Dab spills immediately with an absorbent cloth.

Please ask for our cleaning guide, available by request, for details on how to properly clean a specific fabric. If the Cleaning Code calls for spot cleaning with water/water based cleaners, we recommend using distilled water rather than untreated tap water. Always test in an inconspicuous area first before using any product.

For thorough cleaning, we recommend professional dry cleaning or a professional in-home upholstery cleaning service. Protect your furniture from direct sunlight, as this may cause the fabric to fade unevenly.

Leather

Gus* uses aniline dyed leather, which creates a soft, supple product that will become richer as the years pass. The dye penetrates the hide with colour while allowing the natural grain to show through, as it is a natural product. Leather has unique characteristics shaped by nature, including subtle variations and markings.

All Gus* leather is easily maintained without polishes, preservers or leather soaps; however, it is possible to use a non-toxic leather conditioner if you prefer. For routine maintenance, simply dust or vacuum to keep furniture looking good.

Protect your furniture from direct sunlight as this may cause the leather to fade unevenly. Dab spills immediately with a soft cloth dampened in distilled water.

Most surface marks will fade over time if you rub them with your finger – natural oils are released to help the marks disappear; all leather will wear over time giving your piece its own unique character.

Rugs

Shedding in wool rugs is completely normal. Vacuum your new rug at least once a week for the first few months until the rug has completed the shedding process. A weekly vacuum and the occasional shake outdoors is essential for removing deeply embedded dirt and prolonging the life of your rug. This will ensure that the dirt does not build up in the wool fibers. Make sure your vacuum is set to high height to avoid agitating the rug excessively.

For deeper cleaning, we recommend shampooing the rug once all the dirt has been removed with a vacuum. Sponge the rug with cool water and a mild liquid soap or rug shampoo. It is essential that the rug is dried properly by gently squeezing it out or hanging it to dry under the sun. Never place your rug in the dryer. Make sure to dry both sides of your rug. Always test a small area with cleaner first to ensure it is not going to damage the colour of your rug. If the material feels stiff after drying, vacuum the rug again to bring some of its softness back. Professional cleaning is also a great option for soiled rugs.

To treat spots or stains, ensure that you attempt to remove a stain immediately after it occurs. Blot the rug with a towel to remove as much moisture from the stain as possible. Do not scrub; it is important to pull the stain out by blotting the rug not by rubbing it in. Use a mild detergent, rug cleaner, baking soda or a mixture of white vinegar and water, blot the stain with a clean sponge. Always test a portion of the rug first to ensure it is not going to have an adverse reaction to the cleaning ag ent. Natural cleaning products are recommended rather than cleaning agents with harsh chemicals. One the stain is removed lift the moist part of the rug by propping it up against the wall or a piece of furniture to ensure it dries completely.

It is recommended to use a rug grip pad under your Gus* rug to prevent it from sliding or buckling, especially in high traffic areas.

From time to time, as a tufted rug settles a stray loop of yarn may pop up. This is normal. Do not pull the loop, just trim it with scissors. It is also recommended to rotate your rug every six months to a year, to ensure even wear and tear on the rug.

Due to the handmade quality of our rugs, they may vary slightly in size, pattern and/or colour.

Ethnicraft Care

Solid Wood

Ethnicraft's furniture is conceived to adapt well to the hydrometric conditions of its environment, although some cracking or movement may occur. This is a normal adaptation to the furniture's environment.

Oiled Oak

Your oak furniture is finished with a pigmented hardwax oil. This finish gives the furniture its desired natural colour and has the advantage that stains do not penetrate the wood as easily. This is no foolproof guarantee against stains. In case of a spill, remove it immediately.

For regular dusting, use a dry cloth. For cleaning or in case of a spill, use a damp cloth and natural soap. Wipe in the direction of the grain. Do not use soap containing detergent or other chemicals. Dry with a soft clean cloth prevent spotting. We always recommend protecting surfaces with coasters, mousepads, or placemats as extreme and repetitive daily use or heat can damage the finish.

Always move objects such as flowerpots, vases etc from time to time, and ensure any excess water or dampness is wiped dry immediately to prevent marking the surface.

Recommended humidity in the room – between 40% and 60%.

Natural Teak

Ethnicraft's teak range comes without any finish or protective treatment. The wood is merely polished, allowing the natural oils to rise to the surface. The high density of teak wood has the advantage that stains do not penetrate the wood as easily. Even with these characteristics, spills should be removed immediately.

For regular dusting, use a dry cloth. For cleaning or in case of a spill, use a damp cloth and natural soap. Wipe in the direction of the grain. Do not use soap containing detergent or other chemicals. Dry with a soft clean cloth to prevent spotting. We always recommend protecting surfaces with coasters, mousepads, or placemats as extreme and repetitive daily use or heat can damage the finish.

Always move objects such as flowerpots, vases etc from time to time, and ensure any excess water or dampness is wiped dry immediately to prevent marking the surface. To remove stubborn stains or superficial scratches, extra-fine sandpaper can be used. Make sure you always rub in the direction of the wood grain.

Varnished Wood

Your wooden item is finished with a protective varnish. This finish gives the item its desired colour and offers a good protection against stains, even though with this extensive treatment, spills should be removed immediately.

For regular dusting, use a dry cloth. For cleaning or in case of a spill, use a damp cloth and natural soap. Wipe in the direction of the grain. Do not use soap containing detergent or other chemicals. Dry with a soft clean cloth to prevent spotting.

We always recommend protecting surfaces with coasters, mousepads, or placemats as extreme and repetitive daily use or heat can damage the finish. Always move objects such as flowerpots, vases etc from time to time, and ensure any excess water or dampness is wiped dry immediately to prevent marking the surface.

Upholstery

The upholstery of our leather chairs and sofas should not be washed or dry-cleaned.

Fabric

If pilling should occur, don't be alarmed. It's a result of excess fibre coming off the fabric or from external sources. This is not a defect but a characteristic of many upholstered fabrics.

To keep upholstery in optimal condition we recommend the following:

  • To remove pilling, we recommend using an anti-pilling machine.
  • Avoid placing the item in direct sunlight.
  • For dusting or removing crumbs take a clean cloth or soft brush and wipe down upholstery.
  • We do not recommend vacuuming. If you do so, use the lowest suction and a soft upholstery attachment.
  • Treat spills immediately. Blot up as much of the spill as possible with a clean, dry, white cloth. Do not rub.
  • In case of a stain, use a clean, slightly damp white cloth, blotting from the outer edge to the centre of the stain.
  • Do not use any chemical products on your upholstery.
  • If in doubt, always refer to the care label specific to your item.

Leather

Many of the hides used are left in their purest form. This means there is little or no surface treatment, allowing for the unique natural beauty of each hide to come through. They are incredibly soft to touch and will remain supple as it has not endured extra processing treatments which can make the hide stiff. They can be prone to marking and require delicate care to keep them in optimal condition.

Over time, your leather item will naturally develop a patina, or soft sheen. This is the natural character that emerges through the regular and unique exposures to the surface.

To keep your leather in optimal condition we recommend the following:

  • To avoid discolouration do not place the sofa in direct sunlight.
  • Frequently wipe the leather sofa down with a clean, dry cloth.
  • Treat spills immediately. Blot up as much of the spill as possible- with a clean, dry, white cloth. Don’t rub.
  • In case of a stain, use a clean, slightly damp white cloth, blotting from the outer edge to the centre of the stain. Do not use any chemical products not designed for leather.
  • Use a towel to evenly dry the leather. Do not use a hairdryer for this purpose as it is likely to dehydrate the leather.
  • Apply leather conditioner when the leather feels dry.

SG Originals Care

Marble

Marble is a natural material composed of Calcite or Dolomite. It is a beautiful material with an incredible legacy but it is not a perfect material.

It's important to understand that marble is a porous, high maintenance surface. It is soft and can scratch easily. When polished or honed, small pitting can occur. These pits are filled during this process but they may not have the same feel as the rest of the stone. The veining in a marble slab can vary greatly as it is a material formed in nature.

Liquids left on the surface could permeate the stone and stain it. It is best to wipe up immediately. Try to blot up the liquid rather than wipe it into the surface. A polished surface is vulnerable to the finish itself being damaged, which can happen with anything acidic such as white wine, coffee, fruit juice, tomatoes, salad dressing, vinegar or lemon juice etching the surface. These should not be left on the surface of the table and should be wiped up as soon as possible.

Any grease, fats or oils (including candles) will mark the marble and stain the surface. It is best to wipe up as soon as possible. If a mark persists you could move forward with a mild dish soap lathered on a rag and applied to the whole surface of the stone, and concentrated where the oil mark is. Be sure to dry the surface thoroughly with a soft clean cloth after washing to ensure there are no water marks left on it.

As always, be sure to avoid any cleaners that are abrasive, or have bleaching agents in them. A damp soft cloth is the best choice for regular dusting or wiping up fresh spills. Be sure to always wipe the marble dry after cleaning. Any gentle cleaner, such as a mild natural dish soap, is also fine but shouldn’t be needed for regular use and cleaning.

Avoid anything containing chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid and products such as Ajax, Comet or similar abrasive powders; at best, you will dull the surface, and at worst, you will damage the surface altogether. If you have any more serious stains, it is always best to contact the store before moving forward with any more severe cleaners.

Our marble is resistant to occasional heat such as that from a hot cup of tea or bowl of soup. Using a trivet or protection against severe heat or cold is recommended, pans right off of the stove or oven should not be put directly onto the marble.

As a natural, porous material, marble will chip if it is hit with a stone, ceramic or metal object. Often, the first impact will not cause any visible damage, but repeated impacts in the same spot can weaken the concrete sufficiently that a slight bump could become the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. It's possible under certain condition to repair chips, but these repairs will be visible.

Wood

Our solid wood tabletops are designed to adapt well to the hydrometric conditions of its environment, although some cracking or movement may occur. This is a normal adaptation to the furniture's environment. For daily care of your furniture, use a damp cloth (not too wet) with a mild solution of warm water and natural soap. Do not use soap containing detergent and in case of a spill, make sure you remove it immediately.

Most solid wood tabletops are finished with an oil-rub treatment, unless the customer requests otherwise. The easiest way to maintain this finish is with a liquid wax. This can be applied as often as every month to two months, as desired, to restore the wood’s original colour and luster. We recommend Howard Feed-N-Wax, which we carry in the showroom – let us know if you need a bottle, and we'll get one to you – and at most comprehensive hardware stores. It is important to follow the label instructions carefully when using any wood care product. If using a wax product, the product itself is generally sufficient for maintaining the finish.

We do not recommend that customers attempt to sand, wax, oil or in any way refinish our solid wood products that are finished with stains or water-based clear coats, or any of our wood veneer surfaces. If maintenance of such a finish beyond regular cleaning with a damp cloth is required, please consult with Stylegarage staff or with a qualified carpenter.

Hot-rolled Steel

Hot-rolled steel is an industrial material used throughout the Stylegarage collection. We employ TIG welding to give you a clean, detailed weld with maximum strength. Unlike stainless steel, this material is not polished. Each piece has a dark, scaled surface and unique markings. Unless the piece has been powder-coated or clear sprayed, it is expected that hot-rolled steel will respond to its environment and evolve over time; it may oxidize (rust) in humid conditions or with prolonged contact with water. For best results, we recommend that you clean the surface regularly with a metal cleaner such as WD-40 (we use Howard Feed-NWax, which is normally used on wood but works well for this purpose) and remove any liquid spills immediately.

Mark Krebs Care

All Mark Krebs rugs are designed to be dense, durable, and resistant, even the light-weight ones. That means you’ll be happy together for quite some time, so long as you take care of each other. We can help you do that, with a few simple tips.

  • Professional dry cleaning is your best bet
  • Feel confident about blotching spills with a damp cloth
  • Take a vacuum to it regularly
  • If you see a loose yarn, resist the urge to pull! Simply snip off the excess with sharp scissors
  • Rug pads rule, we recommend using one

Warranty Documents

Many items sold by Stylegarage are covered by a manufacturer warranty. For specific information relevant to your order, or to report an issue or a warranty claim, please reach out to us directly.

Floor models and warehouse sale items – or other items as specifically indicated – are final sale and are not covered by any warranty.

 

Please Note: The care instructions provided are here to assist you in the care, maintenance, and enjoyment of your Stylegarage products. Under no circumstances are we responsible for any results of the use, proper or improper, of these methods.